Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-06

OF long line OF illustrious Presidents
whose names adorn the pages of our
history and whose deeds live in grateful
recollection OF our citizens, YOU come
to us clothed with the majesty of the
people and representing the sovereign
~ Of a nation Of sovereigns. Your high
Office Is the symbol of the power and
glory of n free government and free
people. In respecting you we respect
ourselves. In honoring you we honor
good government, a good citizenship,
and unroseVed loyalty TO the Constitu
ton and laws of our land We desire
to express our sincere qualification that
our Chief Magistrate by personal
observation is to verify the fact
that the West is no small part
Of our common country, and on
belief that this truth will be forcibly
illustrated during your western tour
As you have limited your visit to Chi
cago to a single day We can do little
more in the time allotted us than show
you a few OF our dwellings, temples.
and marts of trade ami commerce, and
TO notify you that to-day the latch
string is out in every home in Chica-
60, Of whatever nationality, creed, or
complexion. The citizens Of the city
have only thoughts and words of wei
come and hearty good will for the
Chief Magistrate Of the freest and best
Government on earth"
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSE.
The President responded as follows :
alt Was soon after the election in
1854 That an old resident of your city
was earnestly urging me TO pay you a
visit He CndeavOrcd to meet all OBJ
jections that were started, and insisted
with unyiclding pertinacity that the
invitation should be accepted. At last,
and after all persuasion seemed to fail,
he vehemently broke ont with this
declaration People up where | live
don't think man is fit for President
who has never seen Chicago ! have
often thought Of this incident since
that time, and sometimes, when
| have felt that was not do
ing for the people and the pub
lie welfare all that might be done,
OF all that | would like to do, l have
wondered whether things would not
have gone on better if / had visited
Chicago. Indeed it has, believe, been
publicly stated on one or more Oc-
casions lately when the shortcomings
Of the present Chief Executive were
under discussion that nothing better
could be expected Of man who had
never been west Of some designated
place or river, and this suppose means
the same that my Chicago friend
meant and involves the same ac-
cusation and conclusion. II my
alleged official crimes and misde-
mcanors are thus cbaritably accounted
for shall not complain, while confess
that the declaration of a representative
Of this city, as | have given it, is evil
dcuce Of that local pride and loyalty
q which your great city IS striking
monument. All have heard Of, if they
have not seen it, for every one OF yOur
people seems 10 have organized himself
INTO a committee Of one to spread its
qlories abroad, and now that ! am here
feel like saying with the Queen Of
Sheba, The half was not told me.
My amazoment is greatly increased
when ! recall q little recent history. In
1893 the town of Chicago was incOrpo-
rated. Upon the question of incor-
poration thirteen votes were cast,
one of which was in the negative
We do not know the reason which
actuated this citizen in his adverse
vote. but if he were here to-day
believe he would be heartily ashamed
Of it. Five days after its incorporation
os a town Chicago held its first election
fer town officers, and We are told that
It's total vote on that occasion was
twenty-eight. We look in vain for any
trace of boodlcrs in those days, though
We are told that the first building con-
structed after the establishment Of the
town WAS a log jail. Your population
in 1897, when Chicago was incorpo-
ratod a city, was 1000. The number OF
its inhabitants i'll 1877 was 800, 600 or up
wards, and the valuation of its property
probably $3.50, 100000. It's immense
growth and volume of business had
then made it marvel among modern
cities. AT this time it was visited
10y direful calamity, without
parallel in extent and destruction,
which threatened all its promise
Of greatness and apparently ended its
career. IN October OF that year fire
occurred which burned over an area
within the city of 2,l0O acres, killed
200 persons. consumed 10000 build
iugs. made homeless 100000 people,
and destroyed property Of the value OF
5000. ,OO0. Then followed an exhi-
bitiOn of enterprise and bravery rs I'M
parallelcd as the disaster which called
them forth. The citizens Of Chicago
lost no time in lamentation, and not for
a moment did they lose faith in the
sure destiny Of their city. Almost
among its embcrs they commenced .bu
siness, and upon its ashes they began
to build. SiXteenyears havepassed, and
there has arisen here city manifold
more populous, moro beautiful, and
more prosperous than you lost in 1871.
Who have q qreatcrright to beproud and
satisfied than the citizens of Chicago?
You said that the President ought to
zee Chicago. / am here TO see it and
It's hospitable, large-hearted people,
lut because your city Is so great and
yCur interests so large and important |
know You Will allow me to suggest that |
have left at home q city you ought to
see and know more about. In point OF
fact. it would be well for you to keep
vour eyes closely upon it all the time.
Your servants and agents are there.
They are there 10 protect your interests
and AID your efforts TO advance your pros
psritv and Wcll-being. Your busting
trade and your wearing, ceaseless &C
tivity of hand and brain will not yield
the results you deserve unless wisdom
guides the policy of your Government,
and unless your needs are regarded NJ
the capital OF the nation. 1t will be
well for you not to forget that III the
performance of your political duties
with thoughtfulness and broad patriot,
ian there lies not only a safeguard
against business disaster, but the im-
portant obligations Of citizenship.
Oxford's Tobacco Sales
Especial telegram TO the Dispatch-l
OxFoRD. n. c., October 5.-Ihe
opening sale at Johnson's warehouse
TOOK place Yesterday. All five ware
bouses are filed TO overlooking. With
rapid selling only little over bali OF